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Best time to visit Canary Islands: month by month
Short answer
The Canaries are a year-round destination: coastal highs are about 20–22°C in winter and 26–27°C in summer, with very little rain. Spring and autumn are best for hiking and value, while winter is the high season for sun-seekers and the most expensive. July and August have the hottest, driest weather (only 3–4 rainy days) and family crowds.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20°C | 15°C | 12 | high |
| Feb | 20°C | 14°C | 10 | very high |
| Mar | 20°C | 15°C | 9 | high |
| Apr | 21°C | 16°C | 7 | high |
| May | 22°C | 17°C | 7 | low |
| Jun | 24°C | 19°C | 7 | low |
| Jul | 26°C | 21°C | 4 | medium |
| Aug | 27°C | 22°C | 3 | high |
| Sep | 26°C | 21°C | 8 | medium |
| Oct | 26°C | 20°C | 6 | medium |
| Nov | 23°C | 18°C | 9 | high |
| Dec | 22°C | 16°C | 7 | very high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs of 20–22°C, about 7–9 rainy days a month, wildflowers and ideal hiking weather.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Warm and dry with highs of 24–27°C and only 3–7 rainy days; trade winds keep the heat bearable, and Spanish families fill the resorts in August.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
The sea is at its warmest and highs stay around 23–26°C; showers increase slightly in November.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Highs of about 20–22°C on the coasts, the busiest and dearest season; Teide may have snow and the road can close.
Events worth planning around
- Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (February or early March)
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival (February–March)
- Corpus Christi flower carpets in La Orotava (May or June)
- Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves on La Palma (every five years, July; check year)
When to avoid
If you want low prices and space, avoid Christmas–New Year, Carnival week and Easter. Winter is also not ideal for summit hikes on Teide, when snow and ice can close the road and trails.
Common questions
When is the best time to visit the Canary Islands?
Any month works. For value and hiking, choose May–June or October; for winter sun, December to March, though that is the busiest season.
Are the Canaries warm enough in winter?
Yes. Coastal highs are about 20–22°C from December to February, among the warmest in Europe. The sea is about 19–20°C.
When is the Santa Cruz Carnival?
In February or early March, depending on the date of Easter. It is one of the biggest carnivals in the world; book rooms well ahead.